‘90-Hour Week? Get A Life! We Are Humans, Not Robots’
Anushree Goyal, a data science professional and a mother of two, emphasises the need for humane work practices, highlighting that true productivity lies in working smarter, not longer, and nurturing both careers and relationships. Her views:
Recently, a senior leader from a global corporation shared his view that deeply troubled me. He proposed that employees should work 90 hours a week, even calling us into the office on Sundays. As someone who’s both a professional and a working mother, this idea seems not only unrealistic but inhumane.
Before I am an employee, I am a human being. I am a mother, a daughter, a wife, and a person who has needs beyond work. My growing children depend on me, my elderly parents need my care, and my life needs balance. I cannot be confined to the office for endless hours at the expense of everything else that makes life meaningful. As working professionals, many of us are already pushed to the limit. Between long commutes, late-night work, and the constant demand to coordinate with international teams (especially across time zones like the US), we are barely holding on.
The thought of losing weekends, the only time to recharge and connect with loved ones, seems unbearable. It’s not just about working hours. It’s about life. If we spend all our time working, who will raise the next generation? Who will teach our children values, support them emotionally, and prepare them for their future? Can money truly replace the warmth of a family dinner, the joy of playing with our kids, or the peaceful moments spent with our aging parents?
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The leader’s comment, “For how much time can you stare at your wife?” was particularly unsettling. Why should there be a problem with nurturing and caring for your loved ones? We need our partners’ time, attention, and affection just as much as we need to dedicate ourselves to our careers. The idea that relationships are disposable or secondary to work is damaging and short-sighted.
Money, no matter how much, cannot replace memories. It cannot replace the bond we build with those we love. If we work 90 hours a week until we retire, what will we have to show for it? When we retire, will we have relationships left to cherish, or will we be alone because we chose work over everything else? And when the time comes, will the organization that demands these hours truly care for us or our families in our old age?
I believe true productivity isn’t about working longer hours; it’s about working smarter. We should be able to accomplish our tasks efficiently within 7-8 hours, leaving the rest of the day to nurture our minds, bodies, and relationships. Work is important, but it should not come at the expense of our mental health, family bonds, or life experiences. We need to advocate for a work-life balance that allows us to be the best versions of ourselves both professionally and personally.
Let us not forget, we are not just workers; we are people with dreams, relationships, and a desire to live a fulfilling life. If we truly value our employees, we must support them in achieving this balance. After all, a happy, healthy, and fulfilled employee is far more productive and loyal than one who is burnt out and exhausted.
As told to Mamta Sharma
